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Author Thought
Hi,
Everyone, I am pouring my best efforts into bringing my imagination to life on these pages, chapter by chapter. While there may be a few mistakes along the way, each one is an opportunity for me to improve and grow as a writer. I would be truly grateful for your feedback—please share your thoughts and reviews if you're enjoying the story. Your comments not only help me refine my work, but also invite others to discover and enjoy this journey right alongside you.
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The third match of the zonal tournament was against Haryana—a side known for gritty bowling and stubborn batting. Uttar Pradesh had momentum, but cracks were beginning to show. Viraj was nursing a finger sprain. Arjun looked drained. And Rishi, the official captain, was distracted by off-field noise.
Coach Rameshwar sensed it.
Before warm-ups, he pulled Nikhil aside. "You're not captain. But I need you to lead today."
Nikhil's eyes narrowed. "Define lead."
"Think. Guide. hit when needed. You don't need a title to command respect."
He nodded. "Understood."
The match began with UP batting first. Rishi won the toss but looked distant, barely speaking during the huddle. Nikhil stepped in—assigning roles, reading the pitch, recalibrating expectations.
Viraj opened but struggled. His timing was off. After a mistimed pull, he walked back at 12 off 18. Rishi followed soon after—caught behind trying to drive on the up.
By the 10th over, UP was 38 for 2. Nikhil walked in.
He didn't just assess the field—he decoded it.
Midwicket was slightly square.
Third man was deep but fine.
Off-spinner's release angle was drifting leg. He logged it all.
First 10 balls: pure reconnaissance.
6 dots, 3 singles, 1 edgy two. He wasn't slow. He was loading.
He built a partnership with Manav, the nervous all-rounder from camp. Manav kept fidgeting, missing cues.
"Breathe," Nikhil told him. "Play the ball. Not the scoreboard."
Manav settled. Together, they stitched a 58-run stand.
By the 25th over, Nikhil had 36 off 42 balls. Then came a moment of tension.
A sharp in-cutter struck his pad. Loud appeal. The umpire paused—then shook his head.
The Haryana captain muttered, "Protected by reputation."
Nikhil didn't flinch. He'd already calculated the angle—missing leg by two inches.
He responded with a flick—three runs through midwicket.
Then came the ignition.
Over 28:
Ball 1 – cover drive, four.
Ball 2 – backfoot punch, two.
Ball 3 – lofted straight, six.
Ball 4 – dot.
Ball 5 – single.
Ball 6 – paddle sweep, four.
The over went for 17. Haryana's control cracked.
Next over, the seamer tried a short ball. Nikhil swiveled—pulled flat, four through square leg.
Then a slower ball—he waited, launched it over long-on. Six.
He wasn't reckless. He was precise.
Strike rate surged past 130.
Boundary frequency: every 4.5 balls.
By the 32nd over, he had 68 off 50. His final tally: 74 off 54 balls, 8 fours, 5 sixes, strike rate 136. Not a slogger. A detonator.
UP finished at 174 for 6. Nikhil remained unbeaten.
During the break, Coach Rameshwar approached him. "You're steering the ship."
"I'm just adjusting the rudder," Nikhil replied.
Haryana's chase began cautiously. Arjun bowled with rhythm, but the field placements were off. Rishi was silent. Nikhil stepped in—repositioning fielders, signalling angles, reading batters.
By the 20th over, Haryana was 98 for 3. The match was in control, but bowlers were still under pressure.
Then came a chance.
A miscommunication led to a risky single. Nikhil charged from point, scooped the ball, and threw—direct hit.
Run out.
The tide turned.
UP tightened the field. Manav bowled a dream spell—3 overs, 2 wickets. Nikhil kept the energy high, guiding younger players, plugging gaps.
Haryana fell short by 11 runs.
After the match, Coach Rameshwar gathered the team.
"Leadership isn't volume," he said. "It's clarity. Today, one player led without asking for it."
He looked at Nikhil.
Rishi nodded. "He did more than I did."
Nikhil didn't respond. He didn't need to.
That night, he sat in the hotel stairwell, notebook open.
"Lesson: Leadership is timing. Fix: become hitter when the moment demands. Goal: Be the player others trust. Reminder: Captains change. Impact doesn't."
Tomorrow, the semifinals awaited.